Daddy’s Being Sly

Yesterday we went shopping at Goodwill because it was 50% off day! Whooo Hoooo! I mean, really. If you’re going to buy other people’s junk, you might as well go on the day when it is half off. No, we didn’t pre-shop the sale on Friday night. We didn’t even line up at 8:30 a.m. We have relaxed a bit. We waited until the LONG lines of the morning rush had slightly diminished before we hit the store for the goods.

As I was perusing the women’s clothing for Lands End, Anne Taylor and Coldwater Creek labels, Rick and Nora, the nine-year-old Colombian princess, were in the toy aisle. Nora spotted a paper doll set that had a gazillion outfits for the three dollies and a Nancy Drew video game, both to die for. EAch was marked $2, so they would be only one dollar! Knowing that Daddy would probably make her pay for them with her own hard-earned money, she decided to work him. “Daddy, if I pay for one will you pay for the other?” And I’m sure she batted her long eyelashes and flashed her dimples at the weak man. Of course he agreed, so she dug four quarters out of her wallet and handed them over to him, quite pleased with her negotiating skills.

We reconnoitered at the check-out and made it painlessly through the line. On the way to the car, Nora confronted her father, “Dad, I gave you the money for my doll set but you did not use the quarters to pay for it. My quarters are still in your pocket.” This is called hyper-vigilant, which means that she is VERY aware of ALL that is going on around her at ALL times. From what I’ve read, it is common with adoptive children. Patiently Rick explained that he had her quarters but he paid with bills from his wallet. She responded, “I know…… can I please have my money back?” Oh did we howl. We tried to explain it over and over but there was no comprendo on her part AT ALL. She still thinks daddy pulled one over on her!